Heck of a job, kid. ABC's Charles Gibson on Thursday night showcased
what he described as "an interesting" question President Barack Obama
got from "a fourth grader" during a friendly town hall session in New
Orleans: "Why people hate you, and why? They're supposed to love you." Viewers were treated to a lengthy soundbite of Obama's appreciative response:

That's what I'm talking about! Well, now, first of all,
I did get elected President, so not everybody hates me. You know what
is true is, if you were watching TV lately, it seems like everybody's
just getting mad all the time. And I, you know, I think that you've got
to take it with a grain of salt. Some of it is just what's called
politics. And so you just got to keep on going, even when folks are
criticizing me, because, as long as you know that you're doing it for
other people. All right? So, thank you, you're a fine young man.

From the Thursday, October 15 World News on ABC:

CHARLES GIBSON: President Obama went to New Orleans
today, where he tried to reassure residents that the government is
committed to helping them rebuild the city. It was his first visit to
New Orleans since taking office. Some local residents criticized him
for spending only four hours there. After he spoke in New Orleans, he
took questions, and got an interesting one from a fourth grader.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: That's what I'm talking about! Well, now,
first of all, I did get elected President, so not everybody hates me.
You know what is true is, if you were watching TV lately, it seems like
everybody's just getting mad all the time. And I, you know, I think
that you've got to take it with a grain of salt. Some of it is just
what's called politics. And so you just got to keep on going, even when
folks are criticizing me, because, as long as you know that you're
doing it for other people. All right? So, thank you, you're a fine
young man.

GIBSON: The President in New Orleans today.

- Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center

Federal employees and military personnel can donate to the Media Research Center through the Combined Federal Campaign or CFC. To donate to the MRC, use CFC #12489. Visit the CFC website for more information about giving opportunities in your workplace.